Heidelberg coach Vinny Dattoli discusses the Tigers preparations and expectations
31 for 31: Three-time NFNL Division 1 reigning premier Heidelberg only got stronger over the summer. Coach Vinny Dattoli discusses the club preparations for a possible four-peat.
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The competition for spots at Heidelberg on a Thursday night will be almost as fierce as the competition on Saturdays.
The three-time reigning NFNL Division 1 premier has only strengthened its premiership-winning list over the summer and enters 2025 as unbackable favourites to make it a history-making four-peat.
Two-time premiership captain Sam Gilmore has returned after a Division 3 flag with Old Paradians, while premiership teammates Jesse Kane and Kai Kearns are also back.
Star midfielder Matt Cecchin is back at Warringal Park after three years in Queensland, while Ethan Johnstone has moved north from Mornington Peninsula power Dromana.
Add in VFL-listed talents Kristian Ferronato, lured across from arch-rival Greensborough, Angus Curry and Marcus Herbert and earning a spot in the senior 22 will be a success in itself.
Coach Vinny Dattoli said it was all about “raising the bar”.
“The club is going from strength to strength,” Dattoli said.
“We have to keep making sure the bar is being raised because I’m sure other clubs are.
“We need to keep ahead of the curve as well as possible.
“When you look at all three premierships the club has won, there has been significant movement within roles or personnel.
“This year our personnel is the same, our retention has been unbelieves, and then the introduction of a handful of guys to challenge the list, so spots are going to be extremely challenging.
“We’ve got an environment that’s pretty thirsty.”
Heidelberg ramped up preparations for its Round 1 clash with old rival North Heidelberg on April 6 with the first of four practice matches against VAFA Premer club Uni Blues.
The Tigers will also face Essendon District Premier Division premier Keilor, Strathmore and Eastern Premier Division premier Balwyn in a mini champions trophy.
Having also seen its under-19s and reserves win premierships last season, in a 49-year first, Dattoli is keen to give his young talent a chance to impress.
“We went in with a list of kids (against Uni Blues), to give them an opportunity to play against some senior guys,” he said.
“The list is shaping up really well for the year, we’re always looking to increase our depth.
“We’re going to give a lot of the younger fellas a chance to put some evidence forward to the coaching group, we had four or five under-19s kids play on the weekend.
“We’re really excited by some of the kids coming through and hopefully they can take the opportunity with both hands and can hold on to their spots for as long as they can.
“The next few years, everything managed well, there’s some exciting times.”
Heidelberg will field two under-19s teams in another show of the club’s enviable depth.
The Tigers face West Preston-Lakeside, Banyule and Division 2 premier South Morang in the opening month before a grand final rematch against Montmorency, at Montmorency Reserve, in Round 5.
After guiding Heidelberg to a second straight flag, Dattoli also had family success as son Jesse was drafted by AFL grand finalist Sydney late last year.
Rumours have swirled regarding his focus at Heidelberg but he was quick to rubbish any suggestions he would miss games.
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“If the opportunity presents itself and Jesse plays his first AFL game … and the games clash, more than likely I’ll go and watch his first AFL game,” Dattoli said.
“He’s still six weeks away from playing an actual game because he’s been out with a stress fracture in his back.
“I won’t be leaving Heidelberg regularly to go watch Jesse play and the fixture that’s out for Sydney doesn’t conflict with the Heidelberg fixture, which is nice.
“Apparently I was buying a place up there (in Sydney) a while ago.”
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